Keratosis pilaris
Treating keratosis pilaris
There's little that can be done to treat keratosis pilaris, andit often gets betteron its own without treatment.
However, if it's bothering you, the followingmeasures may help improve your rash:
- use non-soap cleansers rather than soap ordinary soap may dry your skin out and make the condition worse
- moisturise your skin when it's dry your GP or pharmacist can recommend a suitable cream, although moisturisers and emollients only reduce the dryness of your skin and won't cure the rash; creams containing salicylic acid, lactic acid or ureaare thought to be the most effective
- gently rub the skin with an exfoliating foam pad or pumice stone to exfoliate the rough skin be careful not to scrub too hard and rub off layers of skin
- take lukewarm showers rather than hot baths
You can also ask your GP about "off-label" treatments that may help. These are products that haven't been officially approvedand licensed for treating keratosis pilaris, but are sometimes used because they've helped people in the past.
Examples include:
- creams containing retinol, which is derived from vitamin A
- chemical peels
- microdermabrasion a cosmetic exfoliation treatment that is sometimes offered in health spas
There's nostrong evidence to suggest that these therapiesare effective treatments forkeratosis pilaris. You may also have to pay for some of them privately.
Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 21 Dec 2018
Introduction
Keratosis pilaris is a common, harmless condition where the skin becomes rough and bumpy, as if covered in permanent goose pimples.
Wherekeratosis pilaris occurs
Keratosis pilaris most commonly affects the back of the upper arms, and sometimes the buttocks and the front of the thighs. Less often, theforearms and upper back may be affected. There are also rare
How it affects the skin
The patches of affected skin will be covered in tiny spiky bumps, which may be white, red or skin-coloured. This spotting looks like"chicken skin" or permanent goose pimples, and the skin feels rough,
Who's affected
Keratosis pilaris is very common,affecting up to one inthree people in the UK. It can affect people of all ages, but it's particularly commonin: children and adolescents females people with eczem
What causeskeratosis pilaris?
Keratosis pilaris runs in families andis inherited from your parents. If one parent has the condition, there's a one in two chance that any children they have will also inherit it. Keratosis pilaris
Treating keratosis pilaris
There's little that can be done to treat keratosis pilaris, andit often gets betteron its own without treatment. However, if it's bothering you, the followingmeasures may help improve your rash: u
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